The Ontario government has installed a bronze statue of Queen Elizabeth II at their office in Toronto. Photo courtesy Government of Ontario
The Ontario government has installed a bronze statue of Queen Elizabeth II at their office in Toronto, to pay tribute to the late monarch, her contributions to the province, and her 70-year Platinum Jubilee.
Located at the legislative building at Queens Park, the statue serves to commemorate Elizabeth II’s lifetime of personal service to the people of Canada, the U.K., and the Commonwealth as queen. It also aims to provide learning opportunities for Ontarians and visitors of the building for future generations.
The statue features the late queen holding maple leaves, which represent Canada’s provinces and territories. Designed and hand-sculpted by Canadian sculptor and artist Ruth Abernethy, and cast by MST Bronze Limited art foundry in Etobicoke, Ont., it depicts Elizabeth II on the throne in the Senate of Canada in 1977, where she gave a speech on Canadian unity.
“For more than 70 years, Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II made significant contributions to the quality of our national character and the complexion of civic life in Canada, putting duty before desire and service above self,” says Elizabeth Dowdeswell, lieutenant-governor of Ontario. “Throughout times of great change and uncertainty, she was always a source of strength and stability. I hope this statue will encourage everyone who passes by to think about Her Late Majesty’s remarkable life of service, and about how the values she upheld can help us bring forth the future we wish to see.”
